Tech News, Magazine & Review WordPress Theme 2017
  • Supply Chain Updates
  • GLOBAL NEWS
  • REGIONAL NEWS
  • Industry Buzz
  • CURRENT ISSUES
No Result
View All Result
  • Supply Chain Updates
  • GLOBAL NEWS
  • REGIONAL NEWS
  • Industry Buzz
  • CURRENT ISSUES
No Result
View All Result
United States Supply Chain Management Council
No Result
View All Result
Home Supply Chain Updates

Asbestos abatement at Vancouver home puts neighbours on edge over health risks – BC

usscmc by usscmc
November 16, 2019
Asbestos abatement at Vancouver home puts neighbours on edge over health risks – BC
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Neighbours of a home in Point Grey that is slated for demolition have raised health concerns about how the work is being done — particularly concerning asbestos. 

Katherine Wrixon, who lives beside the home, was walking on the path between the two buildings on Nov. 8, when she came upon asbestos abatement workers sweeping pieces of dry stucco into a dustpan. 

She immediately started recording on her phone and told the workers what they were doing was dangerous, because the stucco was made with asbestos. 

On the recording, one of the workers can be heard questioning Wrixon while another appears to take off his mask and make a phone call.










1:57
Concerns raised about asbestos abatement work at Vancouver renovation site


Concerns raised about asbestos abatement work at Vancouver renovation site

Wrixon, a doctor, said she knows there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos and that’s why she found the scene so concerning.

Story continues below advertisement

“It seems small, sweeping the stucco into a pan, but it’s not,” she said. “I’m just worried about further violations and health risks to myself and my kids.”

A WorkSafeBC inspector visited the site at 4573 West 12 Avenue on Nov. 6 and found several violations involving asbestos abatement.


READ MORE:
Asbestos exposure leading cause of work-related deaths in Saskatchewan

The inspector’s report stated the company doing the work, H & B Construction, failed to properly assess the risk involved in several aspects of the asbestos removal.

Among other infractions, the report found “the risk assessment does not identify the work activity or risk level associated with securing the wood frame scaffold to asbestos-containing stucco.” The report also rated the stucco as “high risk,” along with asbestos found in the basement of the home. 

The neighbour on the other side of the home, Bruce Wiesner, also had concerns — so much so that he took a piece of the stucco that had fallen onto his property and had it tested at a lab for asbestos. The test came back positive.










5:02
Ask an expert: Asbestos


Ask an expert: Asbestos

“The abatement that is done these days seems to be very loosely regulated. I was trying to get the builder and the contractor to admit there was asbestos present,” he said Friday.

Story continues below advertisement

Wiesner said he saw the workers using a nail gun to attach the wood scaffolding, and he found it unusual that on the first day of working they were not wearing masks.

“It became clear they were not qualified,” he said. 



Company no longer involved

Since raising his concerns with the company doing the main construction, Wiesner has been told H & B Construction is no longer involved with the project. But he said it’s unclear if the company was dismissed because of the WorkSafeBC findings, concerns from neighbours, or another reason. 

Global News attempted to reach H & B Construction, but the phone number on a work form found at the home was not in service. Attempts to reach the owner of the property were also unsuccessful.

Wiesner took his concerns to his MLA, Attorney General David Eby.

“I was very impressed with how seriously his office is taking this,” said Wiesner. 


READ MORE:
Hazardous-material concerns raised over demolition of century-old East Vancouver grain silos

When asked about the issue on Thursday, Eby said the province has strict standards in place through WorkSafeBC to deal with asbestos remediation for safety for employees and to ensure it’s done properly.

Story continues below advertisement

Eby also said he plans to work with the concerned residents to further address the issue. 

“The question is when it comes to a demolition permit issued by the city, if those standards aren’t being followed, will the city remove the permit or freeze work,” Eby asked.

What is the city’s role?

That’s a question Wiesner also asked the city. He said it doesn’t make sense that companies that break the rules are cited after the fact, rather than the city making sure permits only go to reputable firms.

“WorkSafe only responds when there is a breach, and so at the very best they are really only trying to put the milk back in the bottle under very dangerous situations,” Wiesner said. 

Wiesner said he is also concerned about companies that could undercut those who follow the rules and in doing so, continue to get asbestos abatement contracts even though they’ve been cited for several violations. 










3:24
Open House: Danger of asbestos


Open House: Danger of asbestos

In a statement, the City of Vancouver said permits are issued to property owners after receiving assurances from a qualified professional, and require owners to follow legislation related to environmental management and hazardous materials regulations.

The city added while WorkSafeBC oversees those regulations and ensures compliance, the city works with WorkSafeBC “to take appropriate steps when specific breaches of City Bylaws are identified.”

Story continues below advertisement

“We are aware of the neighbours’ concerns about this work, and will not be issuing any other permits for this property until the property owner can demonstrate that the asbestos removal has been done in accordance with all regulatory requirements,” the city said.


READ MORE:
Canada set to announce a new ban on asbestos

According to WorkSafeBC, asbestos exposure “can cause serious long-term health issues and even death.”

Because asbestos was widely used in B.C. as a building material up until the early 1990s, WorkSafeBC warns the substance can be found in many older buildings around the province.

Only qualified professionals are allowed to handle or remove asbestos.










4:53
Ask an Expert: Asbestos concerns for homeowners considering a renovation


Ask an Expert: Asbestos concerns for homeowners considering a renovation

“People exposed to asbestos won’t develop illnesses right away,” WorkSafeBC adds. “It takes years for your health to suffer.”

Health Canada also has extensive resources on asbestos and its dangers. In late 2018, the federal government introduced the final measures of its multi-year effort to ban asbestos in Canada.

Wiesner said if the work at the home continues in an unsafe manner, one that puts the health of his family and his neighbours at risk,  he will consider legal action to try and shut it down.




© 2019 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.






JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS




REPORT AN ERROR

usscmc

usscmc

No Result
View All Result

Recent Posts

  • Supply Chain Issues Delay Michigan Statehouse Welcome Center
  • Last Mile Delivery Market Size, Growth And Forecast
  • High shipping rates could increase inflation by 1.5%: IMF
  • Coast Guard responds to adrift cargo ship off California
  • Underinsurance as a Persistent Driver of Cross-Border Antibiotic Procurement in U.S. Border Communities

Recent Comments

  • Top 5 Supply Chain Certifications that are in high demand | Top 5 Certifications on Top 5 Globally Recognized Supply Chain Certifications
  • 3 Best Procurement Certifications that are most valuable | Procurement Newz on Top 5 Globally Recognized Supply Chain Certifications

Archives

  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019

Categories

  • Global News
  • Supply Chain Updates

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
United States Supply Chain Management Council

Categories

  • Global News
  • Supply Chain Updates

Tags

APICS Globally Recognized Supply Chain Certifications IIPMR Certifications International Institute for Procurement and Market Research (IIPMR) ISM Next Level Purchasing Top 5 Supply Chain Certifications top supply chain certifications

Trending

No Content Available
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Antispam
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us

© 2022 www.usscmc.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Supply Chain Updates
  • GLOBAL NEWS
  • REGIONAL NEWS
  • Industry Buzz
  • CURRENT ISSUES

© 2022 www.usscmc.com

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT